'I thought I was just going to cry in the car': Emotional Prince Fielder says goodbye to baseball

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Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder wipes away a tear while speaking in a press conference with his agent Scott Boras (left) and children, Jadyn Fielder and Haven Fielder, at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder chokes up while sitting near his children Haven Fielder and Jadyn Fielder and his agent Scott Boras as he speaks during a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder looks to his children Haven Fielder (second to right) and Jadyn Fielder (right) with his agent Scott Boras sitting nearby as he speaks during a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder wipes away tears while sitting near his children Haven Fielder and Jadyn Fielder and his agent Scott Boras as he speaks during a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers teammates and clubhouse staff enters the room before designated hitter Prince Fielder speaks during a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Jadyn Fielder, son of Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder, bows his head as his father speaks during a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder chokes up while sitting near his children Haven Fielder (second to right) and Jadyn Fielder (right) with his agent Scott Boras sitting nearby as he speaks during a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder jokes with third baseman Adrian Beltre before Fielder holds a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Tony Barnette walks in before Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder holds a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Chanel Fielder wipes away tears as her husband,Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder, speaks during a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder walks in with his sons Jadyn Fielder (left) and Haven Fielder, before speaking at a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish walks in before Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder holds a press conference at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister and general manager Join Daniels listens with other teammates and staff as Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder speaks at a press conference with his agent Scott Boras and children, Jadyn Fielder and Haven Fielder, at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister and general manager Join Daniels listens with other teammates and staff as Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder speaks at a press conference with his agent Scott Boras and children, Jadyn Fielder and Haven Fielder, at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

Andy Jacobsohn/Staff Photographer

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder wipes away a tear while speaking in a press conference with his agent Scott Boras (left) and children, Jadyn Fielder and Haven Fielder, at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas Wednesday August 10, 2016. It was announced that Fielder's career is ending due to his second spinal fusion surgery in the last 27 months. Fielder will be declared "medically disabled," since doctors will not clear him to play baseball due to the risk involved with the two fusions. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)

That didn't make Fielder's official confirmation, delivered in a rambling three-minute opening statement, any less profound. The 14-minute news conference was, in a word, sad.

"The doctors told me . . . I can't play major league baseball anymore," Fielder said. "So I just want to thank my teammates, all the coaching staff. . . I'm going to really miss being around those guys because it's a lot of fun.

"I've just been in a big-league clubhouse since I was their age," Fielder added, looking at sons Jadyn, 11, and Haven, 10, who were seated to their father's left, themselves fighting back tears.

Fielder's Ranger teammates filled chairs on both sides of the interview room at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Also in the room were Rangers staff members from all levels, including owner Ray Davis.

"I was holding back tears the whole time," outfielder Ian Desmond said. "It takes a lot of love to go out there every single day knowing that you're not 100 percent or whatever the circumstances are. ... I certainly respect everything Prince has ever done in his career.

"The best big brother we all wish we had. He can put you up against the wall and set you straight, but 99.9 percent of the time he's just loving you."

It's safe to say there weren't many dry eyes in the room, including those of reporters. Fielder, 32, looked and sounded like a man who isn't sure what he will do tomorrow, never mind the rest of his post-baseball life.

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"Shoot," he said, after thanking teammates, coaches, his wife Chanel and his sons. "I thought I was just going to cry in the car."

He asked for a tissue while thanking his previous teams, Detroit and Milwaukee.

"Even though I struggled personally this year, this is actually the most fun I've ever had and the best I've ever felt mentally about baseball," he said. "That's the only thing that really hurts about not being able to play. My brain was really good with my body now. My body, it just gave out before."

Again looking at his sons, Fielder sounded apologetic, not that his career had come to an abrupt end, but that he no longer would be able to bring them to the ballpark with him.

"It just kind of sucks, because I felt like it's been taken away from them a little too early. Not me. I can deal with it. It's just hard for me to deal with things that hurt them."

Fielder was only a Ranger for less than three seasons. Due to injuries, and two spinal-fusion surgeries in 27 months, he played only 42 games in 2014 and 89 this season, sandwiched around 158 games played in 2015.

During Wednesday's news conference, he revealed that doctors advised him that his playing career was over just prior to his second fusion surgery, which was performed on July 29.

"As soon as I get this neck brace off, I'm still going to be here with the fellas this year, rooting them on," Fielder said. "We've still got work to do. They've got work to do. I've got some cheerleading to do. Hopefully we'll win the World Series and pop the champagne."

The fact that his teammates attended Wednesday's news conference, looking on somberly, spoke volumes about the affection and respect for Fielder.

"It was a sad moment," shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "We rarely see him like that. For any teammate you don't want that to happen, you don't want nobody to retire that way."

Fielder left the interview room to applause.

"It's highly emotional for all of us," manager Jeff Banister said. "It's emotional, I believe, for the entire baseball community. You watch Prince talk, his emotions and the things that were important to him -- his family, his teammates, not the numbers, the celebrations were important -- and see just what he means to us.

"A special human being, a special person. You guys didn't get to see all that all the time. We do. That's why I fell in love with the guy, the competitor, the person. So emotional all the way around."